One day, Ji Lanruo went down the mountain to fall in love with someone.
Not long after, that person suddenly disappeared.
As it turned out, Ding Nan looked exactly like that man.
For the sake of finding some solace, she planned to lay her hands on his innocent self…
“Oh, come on…”
The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.
Imagine his wife calling out another man’s name in bed or dreaming of that man while she slept at night.
Or perhaps, while her eyes were clearly looking at him, her mind and heart were filled with someone else.
‘This is Substitute Literature!’
‘Is this being cuckolded or doing the cuckolding?’
Thinking deeper, there were even more terrifying possibilities.
What if the Sect Leader of Xishan Sect was a selfish person who only wanted Ding Nan’s physical shell?
The Possession Method was no secret.
The Method of Reanimating a Corpse was not impossible either.
What if Ji Lanruo intended to destroy Ding Nan’s spirit?
Suddenly, Ding Nan’s face turned pale.
There was no such thing as a free lunch in this world.
Having lived two lives, Ding Nan understood this simple truth better than most.
“Young Master, the banquet is about to begin. Please take your seat.”
Outside the door, Luo Yao’s pleasant voice rang out.
“Alright!”
Ding Nan replied.
***
Night fell, and a banquet that felt like a rural feast from his previous life began.
There wasn’t much to say about the banquet itself; it was mostly just eating.
Because of his suspicions regarding Ji Lanruo, Ding Nan had no appetite.
On the other hand, Shangguan Qingya, who was visiting, was full of smiles and high spirits, showing none of the gloominess she had displayed while crying in the Council Hall earlier.
Since nothing tasted good to him, he bid farewell to the Shangguan family’s grandfather and granddaughter after finishing his meal.
He wandered around aimlessly and unconsciously arrived at the small courtyard next to the Patriarch’s residence.
There was a corridor, a rockery, a fake river, and real plants.
Ding Nan was drawn to the rockery and the miniature river in the courtyard.
The mountain was two meters high and the water was one meter wide, all sheltered by the tiled roof of the corridor, leaving only a square patch of sky visible.
While eating, he had been thinking about Ji Lanruo, and a firm conclusion gradually formed in his mind.
He ultimately felt that Ji Lanruo had no intention of replacing his soul.
‘At least her ladyship didn’t use force.
She gave me some face, so she probably won’t kill me,’ Ding Nan muttered to himself.
‘Besides, the Xishan Sect is massive. The resources and techniques she can provide just from the tips of her fingers are enough to make me successful.’
Although there was no fear in his heart now, a sense of gloom still lingered.
Ding Nan looked up again at the square patch of sky filled with sparse stars and sighed deeply.
To whom could he speak of his misery?
People would only think that Ding Nan had landed a wealthy woman and that it was one of life’s greatest joys.
However, by losing his freedom and himself, his future would be arranged by others.
At that point, Ding Nan would be living but essentially dead.
Yet, he was powerless to resist an expert at the Tribulation Transcendence Stage.
“Young Master.”
Hearing the voice, Ding Nan saw a young girl wearing the green maid uniform he was familiar with, walking slowly along the corridor.
The night blurred her face, making it hard for him to see the expression in her eyes, but her delicate and exquisite face was still a delight to behold.
“Are you alright?”
Luo Yao approached and asked softly.
“Why are you here?”
“I’ve eaten my fill. I saw that the Young Master had no appetite when he left the table, and I felt that you were very sorrowful.”
“Yes, thank you, Luo Yao, but I’m fine,” Ding Nan said, giving her a faint smile in return.
Luo Yao had been standing a person’s width away from him, but suddenly, she moved closer and rushed into his arms, bringing with her a gust of fragrant wind.
Ding Nan reflexively took a step back, but Luo Yao grabbed his sleeve.
Luo Yao looked up as Ding Nan looked down, her black pearl-like eyes full of affection.
“Luo… Luo Yao?”
“How about we go somewhere where no one can find us?”
“Huh?”
‘Is she suggesting we elope?’
Ding Nan looked at Luo Yao in surprise.
The night was deep and the moonlight was dim, but because Luo Yao was so close, Ding Nan could see the flush on her fair face.
He felt the burning heat of her palms and her deep, fragrant breath.
“Young Master…”
Her face drew closer, her cherry lips slightly parted.
Just as she was about to kiss him, Ding Nan, having regained his senses, moved away.
“I’m sorry, Luo Yao,” Ding Nan said in a heavy voice, pulling her hand away.
Luo Yao’s expression froze, and she stared at him blankly.
“Why?”
Luo Yao asked with a trembling voice.
“We… we can’t do this,” Ding Nan said.
“Why?”
Luo Yao asked again.
Ding Nan stepped back, looking at her dejectedly.
“Do you… hate me?”
“I don’t hate you.”
“Then do you love me?”
“I do.”
“Then why won’t you accept me?”
Ding Nan looked at Luo Yao, wanting to speak but stopping himself.
It wasn’t that he had nothing to say; the reasons were simply too complicated to explain easily.
“Is it because you aren’t sure of Ji Lanruo’s temperament, so for the safety of Uncle Ding Wen and the Ding Clan, you won’t accept me?”
Ding Nan nodded.
That was one of the reasons, but before he could say more, Luo Yao interrupted him.
“Then let us have a conclusion.”
Luo Yao took a step forward, once again pressing him.
Ding Nan stepped back repeatedly until he was finally backed against the wall at the corner of the corridor.
“No, I can’t.”
“You don’t want me to be left alone with a child? You’re afraid that if we have a relationship, that bitch Ji Lanruo will kill me?”
Luo Yao stared intently at Ding Nan.
“Or is it because your love for me is the love for a family member, like a sister, so you won’t accept me, right?”
Luo Yao’s eyes were red.
Ding Nan shrunk his neck and let out a soft “mm.”
Everything Luo Yao said was exactly what he was thinking.
He didn’t want to be an irresponsible father, and he didn’t want Luo Yao to be killed.
He had watched Luo Yao grow up.
Although he admitted he felt desire for her, laying a hand on her made him feel no different from a creepy father.
Tears streamed down Luo Yao’s pure face, but the corners of her mouth curled into a smile.
“Yes, that’s exactly how you are. You’re that kind of person!”
Her gaze dimmed as if she were talking to herself.
“I’m sorry,” Ding Nan said.
“Who is in the Patriarch’s courtyard!”
Suddenly, Ding Wen’s powerful voice rang out.
Ding Nan was startled and pushed Luo Yao away. Luo Yao did not resist and gently took a step back.
“Uncle Ding Wen, is the banquet over?”
Luo Yao’s voice rang out.
Her voice was calm and deep, penetrating the darkness of the corridor to reach Ding Wen’s ears.
It made Ding Wen shudder, and he sobered up instantly.
“So it’s Luo Yao. Who is that next to you? Is it Little Nan?”
Ding Nan wanted to answer, but when he thought about how he and Luo Yao were a man and woman hiding in a dark corner, he felt that saying “Father, it’s me” would cause a misunderstanding.
“Father, I came to talk to you about the monthly allowance. Can I have those Spirit Stones for my cultivation?”
Ding Nan said.
Ding Wen took a large stride forward, coming to a stop in front of Ding Nan and looking at him.
“The Ding Clan has some money now. I plan to increase the monthly allowance for all the clan’s children, including yours. How about twenty Middle-grade Spirit Stones a month?”
Hearing this, Ding Nan felt a warmth in his heart.
Twenty Middle-grade Spirit Stones were enough for him to live comfortably.
Over the years, even when Ding Nan had been a useless person, Ding Wen had never cut off his allowance for cultivation or living expenses.
“Uncle Ding Wen, Young Master, Luo Yao will take her leave now.”
Luo Yao spoke.
“Alright,” Ding Wen said.
Ding Nan saw Luo Yao smiling, her ink-black eyes reflecting a deep light.
He felt a slight chill run down his spine.